Chapter 3: Save the Citizen

Warren was stealthily following Verity to her next class. Her binder and books were clung tightly to her chest as she walked slowly, but purposefully, toward the gym. It was the only time Warren could follow her and not seem to be stalking her. She'd caught him doing that several times anyway, and he didn't want her to get freaked out by his slightly scary pastimes.

Warren's eyes softened from the sharp glare narrowing them had created to a more open-eyed, smiling gaze. Verity's auburn hair was bouncing up and down as she walked; it was up in a high ponytail that was hanging down between her shoulder blades. She was so cute. He couldn't resist lengthening his stride to join her in her march.

"Hey." His voice sounded huskier than he intended, but this was the first time he'd spoken to her since the Detention Room incident two weeks ago. He ran a hand through his hair. "What's up?"

Verity closed her eyes, her lips moving ever so slightly for a few seconds; she appeared to be counting to ten. She reopened her eyes, glanced at Warren, and let out a resigned sigh. "Well, I must say, actually addressing me as opposed to silent surveillance is a very welcome change." She smiled slightly. "I'm alright. I just hate 'Save the Citizen.' It seems so juvenile."

Warren stopped dead in his tracks. Sure, he wasn't really one to participate in gym, but 'Save the Citizen' was a great game. His mouth was hanging open slightly as his brain rushed to find a response.

Verity came to a halt right outside the gym doors. She threw Warren a look over her shoulder, smiling devilishly. "Stumped, Peace?"

Warren closed his mouth and cleared his throat. "I just don't understand why you don't like 'Save the Citizen.' Maybe you're no good at it." He smiled as he started past her.

Verity's eyes sparkled and she grabbed his arm. "Name me as the next competitor against you, your highness, and we'll see how good I am at it." She winked and walked over to her usual seat in the last row, and the back corner.

Warren's smile widened. "This could be interesting." Of course, she couldn't beat him and Stronghold. She had to touch the person to neutralize their power and that still left one person to save the citizen. Poor kid.

Why isn't she going into the locker room? Warren watched as Verity dropped her books on the bench. Her gym clothes were wrapped up on top of them; that was probably the reason she had her books so tight to her chest. She turned her back toward the gym and stripped out of her t-shirt. Her skin was smooth and her bra was a pink color. Warren's breath caught in his throat; she was insane to do that where everyone could see. Verity slid her gym shirt over her head. Then, very smoothly, she slid her gym shorts up her long legs and beneath her short skirt. Warren wasn't the only one who caught a slight flash of pink lace panties; the entire gym erupted in whistles and catcalls. If he had known who was doing them all, Warren would have attacked them, there and then.

Verity's devilish smile was in place as she faced forward and took her seat. She directed her gaze to Warren; she had done it on purpose. Warren shook his head. The girl was trying to torture him in any way she could find. The sad thing was it was working. He walked into the locker room to change into his gym clothes. He wasn't as into exhibitionism as Verity appeared to be.

After the few minutes of calming himself in the locker room, Warren reemerged and took his place in the arena. Since the previous fall, he and Stronghold had been the reigning champs of 'Save the Citizen.' No one had the guts to take them on anymore, so it kind of got a little boring. They were pretty much the best team ever.

"Hey, Warren." Will came up to him and gave him a slap on the back. He nodded his head toward Verity. "How goes it with the Neutralizer?"

Warren shrugged. "I'm not discouraged yet." His usual cocky grin spread across his face. "She wants to compete against us today."

Now it was Will's turn to shrug. "If you really want to. We just won't make it too embarrassing for her."

Coach Boomer came in and took his usual seat on the sideline. He yelled for quiet and looked at his clipboard. "Stronghold! Peace! Which side are you today?"

"Heroes, Coach." Will rolled his eyes. They went through this every time 'Save the Citizen' was the game du jour. It was a little ridiculous repeating it all the time.

"Alright," Boomer said, writing on his clipboard. "And which two students are going to be your villainous rivals? I mean, if there is actually someone who wants to compete and hasn't been beaten by you two yet."

Warren's smile grew wider. "Verity James said she'd be willing to compete."

"Well, well. That's nice." Boomer was using his 'I-don't-really-care' voice as he wrote her name down on the paper. "Who's your second victim?"

Warren and Will looked at each other. They had no ideas.

"It's okay, Coach. I can handle them myself." Verity walked onto the gym floor and placed her hands on her hips.

"If you say so." Boomer set the clock, blew his whistle, and started the match. They had two minutes to rescue the citizen and put Verity out of commission. So, basically, they had a minute to give her a chance and then another minute to come from behind and win. Pie of cake.

Warren lit his arms up. Will levitated a few feet in the air. Verity closed her eyes. Warren and Will exchanged a look. She had no idea what she was getting into.

Warren shot flames out at her. Verity opened her eyes; they were glowing eerily. She smiled and walked in the midst of the flames toward Warren, shocking him slightly with her daring. "Cool off." Then she grabbed him and kissed him. Immediately his flames were extinguished and he was dazed on the floor. Warren felt like a ton of ice had hit him. Verity's eyes were glowing brighter. Warren tried to relight his arms, but it wasn't working. He looked up at Will. They were in trouble.

Will, after watching the entire episode, read the look in Warren's eyes and started toward the citizen. Verity laughed. "Not so fast, Stronghold." Flames shot out at Will from her direction. He swiftly moved out of the line of fire and stared in amazement as Verity. How had she done that? Her eyes were brighter and more bizarre looking; they were definitely creeping him out. She moved toward him, slowly and purposefully, staring him down. She looked possessed. And Warren was still out of the picture.

"One minute!" Boomer yelled.

Will looked anxiously at the citizen and back at Verity. They couldn't lose now, not after a whole year as reigning champs. He made a move toward his goal. Verity shot another flame at him, stopping him in his tracks. Will started to formulate a plan, ignoring Verity for the moment. He was safe at his current height.

"STRONGHOLD!" Warren watched as Verity took a running leap and tackled his best friend to the ground.

When he hit the ground, Will felt his strength drain from his body; soon Verity's weight was crushing him. He had no idea what was going on. He looked to Warren for an answer, but he was currently looking confusedly at his own arms, wondering what the hell happened.

Verity laughed in delight, her eyes growing all the more bright. There was definitely something weird going on.

"Thirty seconds!"

The entire population of the gym was on their feet, hands pressed against the protective glass. No one ever thought they'd see the day when Will Stronghold and Warren Peace lost at 'Save the Citizen,' especially to one person. They were yelling and screaming in astonishment. No one was more astonished…or embarrassed…then Will and Warren.

"Ten seconds!" Boomer was on his feet as well, watching in almost giddy delight.

Will's breath was coming in ragged gasps. He didn't have ten seconds.

"Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

The machine ate the citizen. The gym erupted in gasps. Verity's eyes clicked back to normal. She looked down at Will in bewilderment. Then, realizing that she was crushing him, she jumped up and put her hands behind her back. Her eyes were wide in fright. Layla raced to Will's side, asking if he was all right and checking for broken bones. Verity pulled her hands from behind her back, staring at them in horror. Then she looked from Will, to Layla, to Boomer; finally she let her eyes rest on Warren. A tear slid down her cheek. She ran to her things, people jumping out of her way as she went. She grabbed her stuff and raced out of the gym before anyone could stop her.

Warren, still a little dizzy from the experience, stood up shakily and walked to Will and Layla. "Are you okay?"

Will was breathing deeply. "Yeah. It was the weirdest thing I've ever felt. It felt like there was nothing left inside me." He stared at the door Verity had just run out of. "That was really odd. Especially her eyes."

Warren knew how Will felt. When he'd been drained, he felt like ice water was flowing through his veins. He had just started to thaw out…literally. And what had been with the kiss? But he had to agree with Will. Something weird was going on with Verity James. And her eyes were just the beginning.

A/N: I'm so glad you guys like this so far!! YAY! Um…well, this chapter is a little awkward. I hope you guys like this chapter too. It was really fun to write:D R/R!! XOXOXO Nellie